The last decade has been characterized by the activation of a viral disease such as herpes. So, according to the latest statistics, this disease in latent form is found in almost every third person in the world. In addition, every year its new manifestations are diagnosed, for example, shingles or, as it is also called, herpes on the back.
Causes
First of all, what is herpes? Herpes is called the virus of the Herpesviridae family - Varicella Zoster, which is also the causative agent of such a disease as chicken pox. In addition, its distinguishing feature is the fact that, once once inside the human body, he forever remains in it. But if the virus is initially in an inactive state, then under certain conditions its activation occurs.
Attention! Herpes on the body harms not only the skin, but also the nervous system.
Also, the main predisposing factors are:
- Weakening of cellular immunity.
- Old age (over 45 years).
- Conducting chemical or radiation therapies for cancer.
- Blood disease.
- Constant stress or serious emotional distress.
- Organ or bone marrow transplants.
- Severe hypothermia.
- Taking hormonal drugs.
Herpes: symptoms, photos and periods
At the initial stage, this disease is characterized by what causes digestive upset, weakness and body aches. Also, there are frequent cases of the occurrence of low temperature and pain in those areas of the back where herpetic eruptions will be formed in the future . As a rule, the initial stage lasts from 4-6 days.
After this, the active phase of the disease begins, when enlarged vesicles containing serous fluid begin to form on the body along the nerves. As practice shows, most often these rashes are localized on the projection of the intercostal nerves or on the hips. In appearance, this rash is similar to vesicles that are located on a dense and reddened skin.
Attention! In violation of the integrity of the formations, erosive spots appear that have a reddish tint.
In addition, in the places where this rash is localized, a strong burning sensation appears, which intensifies, as a rule, at night. Also, cases have been recorded when the symptoms of herpes are characterized by a violation of tactile sensations.
After the active phase of the disease passes, the temperature begins to fall, and the general well-being of a person begins to improve gradually. But it should be understood that the frequency of its relapses directly depends not only on the state of immunity, but also on the complex of therapeutic measures that must be carried out to avoid possible complications.
Diagnostics
First of all, finding a similar symptomatology, you need to pull yourself together and not think: “Oh God, I have herpes, what should I do?” As practice shows, self-medication most often leads to more frequent relapses, since it eliminates only the consequence, but not the cause. Therefore, the best option, in this case, is to contact a specialist who will conduct an initial examination and, if necessary, prescribe certain diagnostic procedures. The main ones include: a blood test for antibodies and cytology.
Treatment
As practice shows, after a correct diagnosis, all that is needed is a home treatment for herpes, which consists of taking antiviral drugs, for example, such as Acyclovir, Valtrex tablets. Also, these same antiviral drugs are also prescribed in the form of an ointment, which must be periodically applied to the affected areas of the skin (ointment "Bonaphton", "Panavir"). In addition, it should be remembered that the use of glucocorticosteroid ointments or a variety of hormonal drugs not only does not bring the desired effect, but can also aggravate the course of the disease.
You should also pay attention to the fact that home treatment for herpes cannot be successful without the use of immunostimulants. The preparations "Polyoxidone", "Cycloferon" have proven themselves especially well.
Important! The use of immunostimulating drugs is unsystematic and without the appointment of a doctor is not only ineffective, but also dangerous for the future health of the body as a whole.
If severe pain occurs, as an easy pain reliever it is advisable to use gels and ointments with acetaminophen, lidocaine, naproxen or ibuprofen.
Practice shows that herpes on the back, the treatment of which was comprehensive and timely, goes away within 2-3 weeks. And the only reminder of it are small and subtle pain that lasts for a month.
Is he contagious
It is no secret that as soon as one of the family members or close friends has this disease, it is quite natural that the vast majority of people think only about whether herpes on the back is contagious or not.
But, despite the fact that the herpes virus is considered a very contagious disease, it is this species that is quite rare and, as a rule, in the autumn-spring period. It should also be remembered that people with high immunity have a very low probability of contracting this disease. But, given the current situation, we have to admit that, unfortunately, herpes on the back is diagnosed with an increasing number of people every year. And if relatively recently it was found only in older people, then today people of a younger age are becoming its “victims”.
So, it is possible to contract herpes on the back with the following conditions:
- By close contact of a person that has never been sick with chickenpox, with sick herpes. Although, as practice shows, in the presence of strong immunity, this probability is zero.
- With a decrease in the body's defenses.
It should be remembered that herpes on the back is transmitted only when fresh vesicles appear on the body. As soon as they dry and crust, the virus is considered inactive and, accordingly, non-hazardous.
Important! With prolonged contact of children with sick herpes, they subsequently develop chickenpox.
The child has herpes, what to do
As practice shows, in children, the external manifestations of the virus of the Herpesviridae-Varicella Zoster family are in many ways similar to chickenpox, which leads to the fact that most parents lose valuable time, thereby prolonging the course of the disease. A distinctive feature of this disease in children is its unexpected onset, characterized by a high temperature, which can last from 2-4 days. An interesting fact is that in addition to high fever, no other symptoms of malaise are observed. Further, after the temperature drops, rashes appearing on the child’s body, which have a pink hue. In most cases, they do not cause serious problems and can pass on their own over time, but it should be borne in mind that during this period the child may refuse to eat and be naughty for any reason.
Since the mechanism of its occurrence is poorly understood, at the moment there is a discussion about whether herpes on the back in children affects the development of diseases such as meningitis, pneumonia, hepatitis.
Treatment with folk remedies
In the treatment of any disease, there is a traditional and alternative treatment. This disease was no exception. So what does traditional medicine recommend in this case?
Herbal compresses
We make any bitter grass (celandine, wormwood) 1 tablespoon per 200 g of boiling water. Next, wet the napkin in this infusion and salt with a pinch of salt. After that, we attach to the affected area, and cover with a towel on top. Hold for 30 minutes and remove. It is recommended to repeat 4-5 times a day.
Propolis
We buy propolis in advance crushed and fill it with hot medical alcohol. After that, we insist it in a dry and non-hot room and, using a water bath, evaporate all the alcohol from it. Next, mix it with pine resin, animal fat and wax, which is recommended to grind in advance. After that, we heat the resulting mixture over a small fire to a state of homogeneous mass and leave it in a cool place for several hours. Apply the resulting ointment to the affected areas of the skin 2-3 times a day for 1-2 weeks.
Honey as a panacea for herpes virus
Mix 100 g of honey with 1 tablespoon of ash and 3 cloves of garlic. After that, we lubricate the affected areas of the body 4-5 times a day for a week.
In addition, you need to add a lot of fruits to your diet and exclude sugar, chocolate and alcohol from it.
Prevention
To the main preventive measures designed to protect as much as possible from finding the answer to the question: "I have cold sores on my back, how can I treat it?" - include:
- Restriction on the use of alcohol.
- Hardening.
- Doing sports.
- Proper nutrition.
- Uniform physical activity.
Remember that the danger of the herpes virus cannot be underestimated and, at the first signs of this disease, you must urgently consult a dermatologist.